If you’re like most new college graduates (or if you’re a student who’s about to graduate), you’re eager to find a job and perhaps you’re itching to settle down in a big city.

But where should you scratch that big-city itch? There are so many choices!

Here’s a list of five of the best cities for recent graduates (in alphabetical order) that you should consider as you map out your life after college.

1. Austin, Texas

Austin is a perennial favorite among college graduates, including the thousands of students who earn their diplomas every year from the University of Texas’ flagship campus.

Why is Austin so high on the list for college grads?

First, Austin is a big city (more than 930,000 residents) yet retains a small-town feel.

Secondly, Austin residents praise the quality of life there, including the music scene, the outdoor activities and the generally cool vibe. That’s part of the reason U.S. News & World Report ranked Austin the No. 1 place to live in the U.S. for 2017 and 2018. Plus, there are plenty of Austin apartments for all types of renters.

Beyond that, there are loads of career opportunities in Austin, where major employers include Apple, Amazon, Dell, Facebook, Google, IBM and Indeed. In addition, many startups are based in Austin.

2. Denver, Colorado

As the U.S. expanded westward in the 1800s, the phrase “Go west, young man” became popular. Those three words were meant to encourage men to seize opportunities that were cropping up in the Wild West.

Today, young men and women should look into “going west” — namely to Denver — to explore what this Rocky Mountain region has to offer.

Denver consistently ranks well as a desirable big city for living and working. And there’s no mystery as to why that is.

In terms of livability, few big cities in the U.S. can beat Denver. Outdoor activities are plentiful in the Mile High City; you’ve got hiking, biking, snow skiing, snowboarding and so much more.

Another one of Denver’s draws is the strong and diversified economy — and that means lots of jobs and Denver apartments. Some of the region’s largest employers include CenturyLink, Charles Schwab, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines and Western Union.

3. New York City

New York City does make up for the high cost of living with its array of job prospects and free-time undertakings. Furthermore, the nation’s biggest city is a melting pot of people from all over the world, lending to its attractiveness as a post-college destination.

As for jobs, you can pick any industry, and you’re pretty much assured that New York offers an abundance of jobs in it. Those industries include fashion, retail, entertainment, media, banking, law and hospitality.

And once you’re out of the office, there are so many things to keep you occupied in New York. The city is a standout when it comes to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, theaters, museums, art galleries and parks. You’ll likely be exhausted after sampling just some of the many fruits of the Big Apple.

4. Seattle, Washington

Like Denver, Seattle is praised for its outdoors action like cycling, hiking and kayaking. That could help explain why it’s one of the healthiest cities in the country.

Speaking of healthy, the Seattle economy would certainly get a clean bill of health from the doctor. Contributors to the region’s thriving economy include corporate anchors such as Amazon, Boeing, Costco, Microsoft, Nordstrom and Starbucks.

Although the cost of living keeps climbing in Seattle, it’s still less expensive to rent an apartment in Seattle than in places like New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

5. Washington, D.C.

The capital of our nation’s democracy is also one of the country’s capitals for employment opportunities. And it doesn’t hurt that D.C. is a cultural capital, too.

While we think of D.C. as a huge hub for jobs in the federal government, there are dozens upon dozens of major corporate employers in the region. Among them are Capital One, GEICO, Hilton, Lockheed Martin and Marriott.

When residents of the D.C. area aren’t working, they can take in a number of activities, such as visiting a museum, touring a historic site or jogging at a park. The region’s extensive Metro rail system makes it easy to get around to enjoy the region’s many amenities.

Adventure awaits. Move to one of the best cities for recent graduates and enjoy great work opportunities, fun, and friends. Whatever you do, make your move and let ApartmentSearch help you get there!

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